Ivan (voiced by Sam Rockwell) is a gorilla who is the star attraction at a failing circus in a shopping mall. When circus impresario Mack (Bryan Cranston) introduces a new act in an effort to save the circus it sets off a chain of events that will change Ivan’s life forever. 

The One and Only Ivan has a star studded list of names in its credits and is another film to have foregone a theatrical release due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I think I may have to stop saying in reviews how much of a shame it is to have not had the opportunity to see a film in the cinema but this is another time where that statement is true. This is a quintessential family movie that is warm hearted, teaches kindness and has the sort of special effects that can wow on the big screen. It is streaming now on Disney+. 

Inspired by a true story and based on the children’s novel of the same name by K. A. Applegate the films script was written by Mike White (School of Rock) and directed by Thea Sharrock (Me Before You). Both have the perfect track record to make a film that will leave you with a tear in your eye and a skip in your heart. 

The plot revolves around Ivan’s friendship with his fellow zoo animals that include Bob the dog (Danny DeVito), Stella the elephant (Angelina Jolie who is also a producer of the film) and Snickers the poodle (Helen Mirren). When Stella asks Ivan to promise her he will look after new baby elephant Ruby (Brooklynn Prince) he decides to find a way to have her not live her life in captivity. Oddly his plan is kickstarted by his learning to paint. 

There are great voice turns from Rockwell and DeVito with the latter having some genuinely hilarious moments. And Cranston gets to show some of his skills at playing complicated characters as the impresario who started out as someone who loved Ivan and slowly forgot that as he became his living. 

Hang around at the end for some scenes of the real Ivan and a fun mid credits reunion for Ivan and Bob.